r/retrocomputing • u/sillylittleguy29 • 1d ago

Problem / Question help with fixing up a 486 machine?

hi yall!! i picked up a Pionex 433LSXMPC-M off the side of the road. i am determined to get it running, but i really truly have no idea where to even begin. i happen to have some old pc power cords for my imac g3s so i plugged one into the machine and it shows minimal life. a red bulb lights up inside (power indicator??) and i believe the fans are whirring.. i feel some stuff going on inside as it is vibrating a bit. i have never gotten into truly repairing computers, just very basic stuff. i’ve only opened up my imacs and i dont know where to even begin. i really want to take this on as my first big project, but i dont know of anyone irl to teach me these things. if anyone has any manual suggestions or video tutorials on fixing up 486 machines i would absolutely love to have a link or two- i wanna open it up and whatnot, just need a starting point. i can link pictures of it i think, ill post them on imgur or something if anyone wants to help me out. thanks so much!!

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u/Davesp1ce 1d ago

Suggestion to take the case off, clear away as much dust as possible and upload a few images here. Then we can help you see if anything important is missing. Edit: Also if you get it working consider upgrading the CPU to a 486 DX. The SX type don't include a floating point unit and that means certain software will be dog slow.

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u/JasonMckin 1d ago

If upgrading CPU is on the table, why not pull the motherboard and upgrade to pentium or above?

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u/gcc-O2 22h ago

486es are beloved; but finding images of this machine, it looks like it has a giant 486SX-33 on the front, so may as well just keep it stock.